Reproducing apparatus, recording apparatus and display apparatus

ABSTRACT

A reproducing method and apparatus for receiving and reproducing data and outputting the data into an external device. After reproducing the data, a descrambler corresponding to a type of the reproduced data is selected from a plurality of descramblers and the external device is authenticated by a selected authenticator which is included in a plurality of authenticators for authenticating the external device and corresponds to the selected descrambler, and the data is outputted.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for reproducingvideo data and audio data, and more particularly to an apparatus forreproducing data and the apparatus for recording data which are arrangedto reproduce and/or record data from/onto a recording medium based oncopy management information.

[0002] A DVD-ROM has about seven times as large a volume as a CD-ROM.The DVD-ROM may contain program codes for PCs as well as motion picturesoftware created by compressing video data and audio data. The DVD alsoincludes a DVD-RAM, a DVD-R, and a DVD-RW as its recording medium. Theserecording medium may record a large amount of data, which brings about apossibility of illegally copying software such as a motion picture. Thissort of illegal copy has to be prevented. Hence, a technique ofpreventing illegal copy becomes important. This technique is describedin the magazine “Nikkei Electronics” issued on Aug. 18, 1997, pages 110to 119, published by Nikkei BP publishing.

[0003] For example, the motion picture recorded on the DVD-Video disk istypically coded according to the CSS (content scrambling system). Hence,the copied data cannot be reproduced unless it is descrambled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Indeed, the above-mentioned magazine describes the reproductionof the medium where data is pre-recorded such as a DVD-video disk.However, it does not describe the reproduction of a recording mediumwhere a user can arbitrarily record data.

[0005] In the case of reproducing data scrambled according to thecorresponding system to each recordable medium, it is necessary to takethe step of discriminating the corresponding recording medium to acoming reproduction signal before descrambling the reproduction signal.Further, it is also necessary to discriminate a type of data,concretely, if the data copy is allowed or prohibited, before thecontrol is executed.

[0006] In carrying out the foregoing object, according to an aspect ofthe invention, an apparatus for recording and reproducing data includesa plurality of authenticating means so as to allow authenticationbetween apparatuses by switching among the plurality of authenticatingmeans in correspondence to a type of data involved for carrying outauthentication corresponding to the kind of the data.

[0007] An apparatus for recording data includes a plurality ofauthenticating means so as to allow authentication between apparatusesby switching among the plurality of authenticating means incorrespondence to a type of data involved for carrying outauthentication corresponding to the type of the data.

[0008] An apparatus for reproducing data includes a plurality ofauthenticating means so as to allow authentication between apparatusesby switching among the plurality of authenticating means incorrespondence to a type of data involved for carrying outauthentication corresponding to the type of the data.

[0009] A data reproducing method according to another aspect of theinvention carries out authentication between apparatuses by switchingamong a plurality of authenticating methods in correspondence to a typeof data involved for carrying out authentication corresponding to thetype of the data.

[0010] A data recording method according to another aspect of theinvention carries out authentication between apparatuses by switchingamong a plurality of authenticating methods in correspondence to a typeof data involved for carrying out authentication corresponding to thetype of the data.

[0011] A data coding method according to another aspect of the inventioncarries out authentication between apparatuses by switching among aplurality of authenticating methods in correspondence to a type of datainvolved for carrying out authentication corresponding to the type ofthe data.

[0012] An authenticating method according to another aspect of theinvention carries out authentication between apparatuses by switchingamong a plurality of authenticating methods in correspondence to a typeof data involved for carrying out authentication corresponding to thetype of the data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an apparatus for reproducingdata containing copy control information according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment in which theapparatus for reproducing data according to the invention is applied toa DVD drive;

[0015]FIG. 3 is a view showing a composition of DVD sector data as anexample of data containing codes on which a type of a recording mediumand a scrambling structure of data are recorded;

[0016]FIG. 4 is a view showing a composition of identification (ID) dataof a DVD;

[0017]FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an apparatus for recording datacontaining copy control information according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0018]FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing another apparatus forreproducing data containing copy control information according to anembodiment of the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an arrangement in which anapparatus for reproducing data according to the invention is applied toa DVD drive so that the output signal is connected to a recordabledevice such as a harddisk;

[0020]FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an arrangement in which anapparatus for outputting data is applied to a monitor; and

[0021]FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a system provided with eachdevice according to the present invention, such as a personal computer.

[0022]FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a data reproducing apparatusfor reproducing data including copy controlling information according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Hereafter, the present invention will be described along theembodiments with reference to the appended drawings.

[0024]FIG. 1 shows an apparatus for reproducing data containing copycontrol information according to an embodiment of the invention. In thisembodiment, a recordable and reproducible medium such as a DVD will bedescribed. It goes without saying that it is not limited to an opticaldisk but may be applied to any kind of medium that stores data.

[0025] In FIG. 1, a numeral 1 denotes a first data reproducingapparatus. A numeral 2 denotes a first reproducing unit. A numeral 3denotes a first switch. A numeral 4 denotes a first authenticating unita. A numeral 5 denotes a second authenticating unit a. A numeral 6denotes a third authenticating unit a. A numeral 7 denotes a second datareproducing apparatus. A numeral 8 denotes a first authenticating unitb. A numeral 9 denotes a second authenticating unit b. A numeral 10denotes a third authenticating unit b. A numeral 11 denotes a firstdescrambling unit. A numeral 12 denotes a second descrambling unit. Anumeral 13 denote a second switch. A numeral 14 denotes a WM detectingunit. A numeral 15 denotes an MPEG reproducing unit. A numeral 16denotes data input. A numeral 17 denotes data output. A numeral 18denotes a first data bus. A numeral 19 denotes a first authenticatingbus. A numeral 20 denotes a second data bus. A numeral 21 denotes asecond authenticating bus. A numeral 22 denotes a third data bus. Anumeral 23 denotes a third authenticating bus. A numeral 24 denotes aCSS authenticating unit a. A numeral 25 denotes a CSS data bus. Anumeral 26 denotes a CSS authenticating bus. A numeral 27 denotes a CSSauthenticating unit b. A numeral 28 denotes a CSS descrambling unit. Anumeral 29 denotes a first authenticating block. A numeral 30 denotes asecond authenticating block.

[0026] The operation of the present system will be described withreference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0027] The data input 16, read from a disk by means of the first datareproducing apparatus such as a DVD drive, is descrambled according tothe recorded format by the first reproducing unit 2. In thisdescrambling operation, the first reproducing unit 2 operates to read atype of data including a code for indicating a type of the recordingmedium contained in the data (for example, a code for indicating if therecording medium is dedicated to reproduction or recordable), a code forindicating whether or not the data structure is scrambled, and a codefor indicating if the data is video or audio or copy limitation (forexample, a code for indicating copy permission, one-generation copypermission, or copy prohibition). Further, for an optical disk, the typeof the recording medium may be discriminated on a tracking signal of thedisk. Based on the pieces of information read by the first reproducingunit 2, the first switch 3 is switched so as to select the correspondingauthenticating unit to the read data. The authentication is done formaking sure of a person with whom the data is communicated, and keyinformation is sent/received for descrambling purpose. Received data hasbeen scrambled by the key and the data is descrambled using the key soas to protect the data.

[0028] The first authenticating unit a operates to authenticate areproduction-dedicated recording medium. The second authenticating unita operates to authenticate a recordable recording medium with its copylimited by copy limitation information. The third authenticating unit aoperates to authenticate a recordable recording medium with no copylimitation by copy limitation information. The CSS authenticating unit a24 is an authenticating means for the DVD drive to the existing CSS(Content Scrambling System). In this embodiment, the CSS authenticatingunit a 24 is described as an independent unit. It may be combined withnew authenticating units, that is, the first, the second, and the thirdauthenticating units a as a first authenticating block 29.

[0029] The data reproducing unit 2 is assumed to be an MPEG board fordecoding the MPEG data. The first authenticating unit b is positioned incorrespondence to the first authenticating unit a. The authentication isdone by the first authenticating bus 19. If the data is not proper, thedescrambling information is not passed as well as the data is disallowedto be outputted from the first data bus 18. Likewise, the second and thethird authenticating units b have the same correspondence with thesecond and the third authenticating units a. If the data is not proper,no authentication is done and the data output is stopped. Herein, forsimplifying the description, the authenticating buses and the data busesare respective to the three authenticating units. In actual, thecombination of one authenticating bus and one data bus may be switchedto each authenticating unit. The CSS authenticating unit b 27 operatesto authenticate the MPEG board corresponding to the existing CSS. Inthis embodiment, the CSS authenticating unit b 27 is described as anindependent unit. It may be combined with the new authenticating units,that is, the first, the second and the third authenticating units b asan authenticating block b 30.

[0030] The data transmitted from the first reproducing apparatus 1 tothe second reproducing apparatus 7 through the first data bus isscrambled for the purpose of preventing copy of the data intransmission. The data on the reproduction-dedicated recording medium isscrambled in a different manner from the data on the recording mediumwith copy limitation given by copy limitation information. The data onthe recordable recording medium with no copy limitation given by thecopy limitation information is not scrambled because the copy of thedata is not required to be prevented. Under these conditions, the firstreproducing apparatus operates to transmit the type of the recordingmedium and the scrambled data through the effect of the authenticatingunit. Herein, the data on the disk with no copy limitation is notrequired to be scrambled for preventing the copy of the data. However,if no authentication is done only for the data, it is difficult todiscriminatingly detect the disk with no copy limitation and the diskillegally copied though the copy of the disk is originally limited.Hence, the authentication is done to the disk with no copy limitation.

[0031] If the authentication is done, the scrambled data is transmittedto the second data reproducing apparatus 7. The data bus through whichthe data is transmitted is selected according to the type of therecording medium and the scrambling structure of the data transmitted bythe authenticating unit. The first descrambling unit 11 or the seconddescrambling unit 12 according to the medium type and the scramblingstructure are operated to descramble the data. Then, the descrambleddata is sent to the MPEG reproducing unit 15 through the second switch13. The WM (Water Mark) detecting unit 14 is used for detectingadditional information buried in the data decoded by the MPEGreproducing unit 15. In this embodiment, the water mark is detected asthe additional information. If the copy control information is detected,the data output is controlled according to the copy control information.In this embodiment, the MPEG reproducing unit 75 is controlled so as tocontrol the output of the data. The control method is not limited to it.For example, the output data may be controlled to be stopped ordiscarded on the bus.

[0032] Herein, the first reproducing unit 2, the first switch 3, thefirst authenticating unit a 4, the second authenticating unit a 5, andthe third authenticating unit a 6 are incorporated on the same LSI forthe purpose of making it difficult to pick up the data on thetransmitting way. The first authenticating unit b 8, the secondauthenticating unit b 9, the third authenticating unit b 10, the firstscrambling unit 11, the second descrambling unit 12, the second switch13, the WM detecting unit 14, and the MPEG reproducing unit 15 areincorporated on the same LSI for the purpose of making it difficult topick up the data on the transmitting way.

[0033]FIG. 2 shows the arrangement in which the data reproducingapparatus according to the present invention is applied into the DVDdrive. The present embodiment concerns with a recordable andreproducible recording medium such as a DVD. It goes without saying thatthe recording medium is not limited to an optical disk but may beapplied to any kind of recordable and reproducible recording medium.

[0034] In FIG. 2, a numeral 24 denotes a DVD disk. A numeral 25 denotesa DVD drive. A numeral 26 denotes a pick-up unit. A numeral 27 denotes apreamplifier. A numeral 28 denotes a first system control unit. Anumeral 29 denotes an MPEG reproducing board. A numeral 30 denotes asecond system control unit. A numeral 31 denotes a converter. A numeral32 denotes a monitor.

[0035] A signal read from the DVD disk 24 by the pick-up unit 26 issupplied into the first data reproducing apparatus 1. The first datareproducing apparatus 1 determines the operating state under the controlof the first system control unit 28. The main operation of the DVD drive25 corresponds to the process up to this point. The signal reproduced bythe first data reproducing apparatus 1 is transmitted to the second datareproducing apparatus 7. The second data reproducing apparatus 7 isoperated to determine the operating state under the control of thesecond system control unit 30. The data reproduced by the second datareproducing apparatus 7 is converted by the converter 31 and then isoutputted into the monitor 32 on which the data is displayed. Theprocess up to this point corresponds to the main operation of the MPEGreproducing board 29.

[0036]FIG. 3 shows a composition of sector data of the DVD as an exampleof data containing codes having a type of the recording medium and ascrambling structure of the data recorded therein. In the DVD, theidentification data simply called ID and the copyright managementinformation called CPR_MAI are written before the main data of 2048bytes.

[0037] The copyright management information (CPR_MAI) covers both thecopyright management information and the region management information.The read-in area describes whether or not the data contains a specificdata structure (corresponding to the scramble structure) of thecopyright protection system and whether or not the data may bereproduced on a specified region. The data area describes whether or notthe sector contains a material with a copyright, whether or not the datahas a specific data structure of the copyright protection system, andwhether or not the data is copy-limited (copy permission, one-generationcopy permission, and copy prohibition).

[0038]FIG. 4 shows the composition of the ID data of the DVD.

[0039] The ID contains a reproduction-dedicated data called a data typeor an auxiliary code for write-once data and rewritable data in thefirst four bytes of the sector information.

[0040] A sector format type described a CLV format type specified by thereproduction-dedicated disk and the write-once disk or a zone formattype specified for a rewritable disk. An area type records a data area,a read-in area, a read-out area, or a middle area of areproduction-dedicated disk. The data type is spared for thereproduction-dedicated data or the write-once data (link data) and therewritable data.

[0041]FIG. 5 shows a recording apparatus for recording data containingthe copy control information according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. The present embodiment concerns with a recordable andreproducible recording medium such as a DVD. It goes without saying thatthe recording medium is not limited to an optical disk but may beapplied to any kind of recordable and reproducible medium.

[0042] In FIG. 5, a numeral 51 denotes a second data recordingapparatus. A numeral 52 denotes a first recording unit. A numeral 53denotes a fourth switch. A numeral 55 denotes a second authenticatingunit d. A numeral 56 denotes a third authenticating unit d. A numeral 57denotes a first data recording apparatus. A numeral 59 denotes a secondauthenticating unit c. A numeral 60 denotes a third authenticating unitc. A numeral 62 denotes a second scrambling unit. A numeral 63 denotes athird switch. A numeral 64 denotes a WM detecting unit. A numeral 65denotes an MPEG coding unit. A numeral 66 denotes a data output. Anumeral 67 denotes a data input. A numeral 70 denotes a second data bus.A numeral 71 denotes a second authenticating bus. A numeral 72 denotes athird data bus. A numeral 73 denotes a third authenticating bus.

[0043] The data input 67 such as video data read from the disk by thefirst data reproducing apparatus such as a DVD drive and outputted onthe monitor is coded according to the format for converting andrecording the digital data by the first recording unit (52). At thistime, the type of the data such as a code for indicating the type of therecording medium (for example, a code for indicating if the medium isreproduction-dedicated or recordable) is written according to theformat. As another type of data, for example, the code for indicating ifthe data structure is scrambled by copy control and the code forindicating copy limitation (for example, a code for indicating copypermission, one-generation copy permission or copy prohibition) iswritten as well. Next, if the data needs copy control, the scramblingbased on the recording medium and the state of copy control is carriedout. Herein, the third switch is switched on the copy controlinformation so as to select the authenticating unit.

[0044] The water mark detecting unit 64 operates to detect the copycontrol information that is additional information added to the datainputted into the MPEG coding unit 65. The control is executed accordingto the copy control information. For example, if the detectedinformation indicates copy prohibition, the output of the recording datais stopped. If it indicates no copy limitation, the coding process isexecuted without scrambling. In this embodiment, the MPEG coding unit 65is served to control the output of the data. The control method is notlimited to it. The method may be the stop of the output data, thebreakage of the data on the bus, and so forth.

[0045] The second authenticating unit c operates to authenticate therecordable recording medium whose copy is limited by the copy limitationinformation. The third authenticating unit c operates to authenticatethe recordable recording medium whose copy is not limited by the copylimitation information.

[0046] Further, though not illustrated in this embodiment, like thereproducing apparatus, the authenticating unit corresponding to theexisting CSS may be included in this embodiment. This CSS authenticatingunit may be combined with those authenticating units as anauthenticating block.

[0047] The first data recording apparatus is an MPEG board for encodingthe MPEG data.

[0048] The second authenticating unit d has the corresponding relationwith the second authenticating unit c. The authentication is donethrough the use of the second authenticating bus 71. If it does not havethe corresponding relation therewith, no descrambling method is passedand the output of the data from the second data bus 70 is stopped. Thethird authenticating unit d has the corresponding relation with thethird authenticating unit c. If it does not have the correspondingrelation therewith, no authentication is done and the output of the datais stopped. Herein, for simplifying the description, the authenticatingbuses for two combinations of authenticating units and the data busesfor transmitting the data from the authenticating units are described asindependent buses. One combination of a data bus and an authenticatingbus may be switched for two authenticating units.

[0049] The data transmitted from the first data recording apparatus 51to the second data recording apparatus 57 is scrambled for the purposeof preventing the copy of the data in transmission. The data whose copyis not limited by the copy limitation information is not scrambledbecause it does not need copy protection.

[0050] Hence, the first data recording apparatus 1 operates to transmitthe scrambled data through the use of the authenticating unit. The thirdswitch 63 is served to select a proper one of the buses that pass thescrambling unit 2 according to the data and do not pass the scramblingunit so that the proper scrambling to the data may be executed.

[0051] When the authentication is done, the data is transmitted as beingscrambled. The authenticating unit is executed to select the data busthat is allowed to transmit the data according to the type of therecording medium and the scrambling structure of the data. Then, thedata is sent to the first recording unit 52 through the fourth switch53.

[0052] Herein, the second authenticating unit c 59, the thirdauthenticating unit c 60, the second scrambling unit 62, the thirdswitch 63, the WM detecting unit 64, and the MPEG coding unit 65 areincorporated on the same LSI for the purpose of making it difficult topick up the data on the transmitting way. The first recording unit 52,the fourth switch 53, the second authenticating unit d 55, and the thirdauthenticating unit d 56 are incorporated on the same LSI for thepurpose of making it difficult to pick up the data on the transmittingway.

[0053]FIG. 6 shows an apparatus for reproducing data containing the copycontrol information according to another embodiment of the presentinvention. This embodiment selectively uses one combination of a databus and an authenticating bus for all the authenticating units in theembodiment shown in FIG. 1, though the embodiment in FIG. 1 contains thecorresponding combination of a data bus and an authenticating bus toeach of the authenticating units. In the following embodiment, the samenumerals as those in FIG. 1 indicate the same components.

[0054] In FIG. 6, a numeral 70 denotes a unified data bus. A numeral 71denotes a unified authenticating bus. A numeral 72 denotes a switch forswitching the authenticating units included in the first authenticatingblock. A numeral 73 denotes a switch for switching the authenticatingunits included in the second authenticating block. This arrangementresults in making it possible to serve one data bus and oneauthenticating bus for all the authenticating units, thereby reducingthe connecting lines between the apparatuses in number.

[0055]FIG. 7 shows the arrangement in which the data reproducingapparatus according to the present invention is applied to the DVD driveand the output signal of the DVD drive is connected to a recordabledevice such as a harddisk. The present embodiment concerns with therecordable and reproducible recording medium such as a harddisk. It goeswithout saying that the recording medium is not limited to therecordable and reproducible recording medium such as a harddisk but maybe applied to any kind of device that sends and receives data though thedata bus.

[0056] In FIG. 7, a numeral 80 denotes a harddisk device. A numeral 81denotes a first recording device. A numeral 82 denotes a system controlunit. A numeral 83 denotes a harddisk.

[0057] The signal read out of the DVD disk 24 by the pick-up unit 26 issupplied into the first data reproducing device 81 through thepreamplifier 27. The first data reproducing device 81 determines theoperating state under the control of the first system control unit 28.The process up to this point corresponds to the main operation of theDVD drive 25. The signal reproduced by the first data reproducing device1 is transmitted into the first data recording device 81. The first datarecording device 1 determines the state of the recording operation underthe control of the third system control unit 82. The data reproduced bythe first data recording device 81 is recorded onto the harddisk 83. Theprocess up to this point corresponds to the main operation of theharddisk device 80.

[0058] Herein, the device that records data is required to control therecording along the copy control information. In order to make sure thatthe device has a function of properly controlling the recording, thefirst data reproducing device 1 has to authenticate the second datarecording device 81. The data passed from the first data reproducingdevice 1 to the first data recording device 81 is scrambled intransmission if the data has to be protected. Hence, the first datareproducing device 1 and the first data recording device 81 providesmeans for scrambling data, means for descrambling data, and means forpassing a scrambling key. If the authentication is failed, the firstdata reproducing device 1 stops the data output to the second datarecording device 81. If the data output is done, the data is scrambledand no key is passed, so that the data cannot be correctly reproduced.It means that if the scrambled data is directly recorded in therecording device, the data cannot be correctly reproduced.

[0059] Further, herein, the description concerns with the transfer ofthe data with the recording device. About the reproducing device and theoutput device, likewise, the DVD drive operates to autheticate if thereproducing or the output device enables to correctly control thecopying operation for the purpose of protecting the data.

[0060] The provision of these means in transferring the data makes itpossible to correctly control copying of copyrighted data and preventillegal copying or reproduction.

[0061]FIG. 8 shows the arrangement in which the data output apparatusaccording to the present invention is applied into a monitor. Thepresent embodiment concerns with the monitoring output, for example. Itgoes without saying that it is not limited to the monitor but may beapplied to any kind of device that serves to receive and send the datathrough the data bus.

[0062] In FIG. 8, a numeral 90 denotes a monitor. A numeral 91 denotes athird data processing device. A numeral 92 denotes a converter. Anumeral 93 denotes a display device.

[0063] The MPEG board 29 outputs the data onto the monitor 90. The datainputted into the monitor 90 is converted by the converter 31 and thenoutputted onto the monitor 32 on which the image is displayed. Theprocess up to this point corresponds to the main operation of themonitor.

[0064] If the data is inputted into the monitor 90 through the data bus100, the data may be scrambled for protecting the data from beingillegally recorded. In this case, the third data processing device 91operates to descramble the data and then output the resulting data intothe converter 92. It means that the third data processing device 91needs the corresponding authenticating unit to the MPEG board 29. Theauthenticating unit may operate to authenticate that the output from theMPEG board 29 is outputted only to the display device such as themonitor 90, not to the recording device. If no recording device isconnected, the data is not illegally copied. Hence, when the data isoutputted onto the monitor 90, it is not necessary to scramble the data.

[0065] The provision of these means in passing the data results inmaking it possible to correctly control the copying operation of thecopyrighted data, thereby preventing illegal copying and reproduction.

[0066]FIG. 9 shows the system having the devices indicated above, forexample, a personal computer. The personal computer may easily changethe layout of those devices. Hence, the combination of those devices isnot limited to the combination described in this embodiment but mayconcern the combination of all the devices that pass the data.

[0067] In FIG. 9, a numeral 101 denotes an MPEG board. A numeral 102denotes a MO drive. A numeral 103 denotes a digital camera.

[0068] The personal computer is arranged to pass the data among thedevices through the data bus 100. The authentication is done to thedevices connected with the data bus.

[0069] If no authentication is established, it is determined that thedevice does not provide a function of correctly controlling the copyingoperation. The data output is stopped. At this time, if the data ispermitted to be merely reproduced. The data output is made possible onlyif no recording device is connected to the data bus and the connecteddevices have only the reproducing function.

[0070] Further, if no authentication is established, the data may bepassed on the data bus only if the data to be passed has no copylimitation.

[0071] These authentications are made possible by the circuit providedin each device. Instead, in such a case as the personal computer, thesoftware for controlling each device may provide the authenticatingfunction. Further, the authentication may be done on the operatingsystem for systematically controlling each device. Then, according tothe authenticated result, each device may be controlled.

[0072] As described above, the authentication is executed between thedevices connected with the data bus according to the type of the data.According to the result, the transfer of the data may be controlled.This makes it possible to correctly control the copying operation.

[0073]FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a data reproducing apparatusfor reproducing data including copy controlling information according toanother embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus of FIG. 10 isan example in which the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is formed within oneapparatus as in, for example, consumer DVD players. In such apparatuses,since it is difficult to interchange the DVD drive with the MPEG boardand vice versa, no authentication is required. Also, when the DVD signalprocessing and MPEG decoding are carried out as internal processing inthe same LSI, no authentication is required since no connection tooutside is possible to do and it is also impossible to tap the signalsout of the data buses. In those cases, it is not necessary to provide aplurality of authenticating units and reproduction may be carried out byswitching among a plurality of the descrambling units.

[0074] According to the present invention, in the case of reproducingthe data scrambled in respective manner to the types of the recordingmedium and the copy control information, the correspondingauthenticating unit to each scrambling manner is properly switched. Thismakes it possible to do the descrambling operation according to thescrambling manner. Further, if no authentication is established, thedata output is stopped. It is thus possible to prevent the illegallycopied data from being recorded and reproduced.

[0075] In addition, the incorporation of these functions on the same LSImakes it difficult to pick up the data on the transmitting way.

What is claimed is:
 1. A reproducing method of receiving and reproducingdata and outputting the data into an external device, said reproducingmethod comprising the steps of: after reproducing the data, selecting,from a plurality of descrambling methods, a descrambling methodcorresponding to a type of said reproduced data; authenticating saidexternal device by an authenticating method which is included in aplurality of authenticating methods for authenticating said externaldevice and corresponds to the selected descrambling method; andoutputting said data.
 2. A reproducing method of receiving dataoutputted from an external device and reproducing the data, saidreproducing method comprising the steps of: selecting, from a pluralityof descrambling methods, a descrambling method corresponding to a typeof said received data; authenticating said external device by anauthenticating method which is included in a plurality of authenticatingmethods for authenticating said external device and corresponds to theselected descrambling method; receiving the data outputted from saidexternal device after the authentication is made certain; andreproducing said received data.
 3. A data reproducing method for aplurality of devices, for sending and receiving data by authenticatingthe plurality of devices with each other, said data reproducing methodcomprises the steps of: selecting, from a plurality of descramblingmethods, a scrambling method corresponding to a type of said data,executing authentication by an authenticating method corresponding tothe selected descrambling method, selected from a plurality ofauthenticating methods.
 4. A data reproducing apparatus for receivingand reproducing data and outputting the data to an external device, saiddata reproducing apparatus comprising: reproducing means for reproducingsaid data; a plurality of descrambling methods for descrambling saiddata; a plurality of authenticating means for authenticating saidapparatus with said external device; and selecting means for selecting adescrambling means from said plurality of descrambling means, whereinsaid selecting means selects, from said plurality of descrambling means,a descrambling means corresponding to a type of the data reproduced bysaid reproducing means and wherein an authenticating means correspondingto said selected descrambling means, selected from said plurality ofauthenticating means, authenticates said external device and outputssaid data to said external device.
 5. An apparatus for receiving dataoutputted from an external device and reproducing the data, saidreproducing apparatus comprises: a plurality of descrambling means fordescrambling said data; a plurality of authenticating means forauthenticating said external device; selecting means for selecting oneof said plurality of descrambling means; and reproducing means forreproducing said data, wherein, of said plurality of descrambling means,a descrambling method corresponding to a type of said data is used sothat, of said plurality of authenticating means, an authenticating meanscorresponding to a type of said corresponding descrambling meansauthenticates said external device and outputs said data after theauthentication is made certain and that said reproducing meansreproduces the data outputted by said authenticating means havingauthenticated said external device.
 6. A reproducing apparatus having aplurality of data reproducing apparatuses for reproducing data bysending and receiving the data to and from each other based on theauthentication with each other, wherein said plurality of datareproducing apparatuses each include a plurality of descrambling meansfor scrambling data and a plurality of authenticating means, whereinsaid reproducing apparatus selects descrambling means which are includedin said plurality of data reproducing apparatuses and correspond to atype of said data and authenticate each other by authenticating meanswhich are included in said plurality of authenticating means andcorrespond to said selected descrambling means.
 7. The data reproducingapparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein one of said plurality ofdescrambling means is selected based on information for indicating atype of a recording medium.
 8. The data reproducing apparatus as claimedin claim 4, wherein one of said plurality of descrambling means isselected based on information for indicating a data type, such as ifsaid data is a video signal, an audio signal, a still picture signal, aprogram code, or any other data.
 9. The data reproducing apparatus asclaimed in claim 4, wherein one of said plurality of descrambling meansis selected based on copy control information contained in said data.10. The data reproducing apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein one ofsaid plurality of descrambling means is selected based on a combinationof information for indicating a type of a recording medium and copycontrol information contained in said data.
 11. The data reproducingapparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said information forindicating a type of a recording medium includes information forindicating that the recording medium is a reproduction-dedicated orrecordable one, and said copy control information includes informationfor indicating if the data is copy-free, copy-prohibited, orcopy-permitted for one generation.
 12. The data reproducing apparatus asclaimed in claim 11, wherein said combination of information includes acombination of three kinds of information, that is, the information forindicating the medium is reproduction-dedicated, the information forindicating the medium is recordable and if the data is copy-prohibitedor copy-permitted for just one generation, and the information forindicating the medium is recordable and if the data is copy-free. 13.The data reproducing apparatus as claimed in claim 5 is a reproducingapparatus arranged to reproduce compressed video data and wherein saidreproducing apparatus further includes means for detecting additionalinformation added to the data reproduced by said reproducing means. 14.The data reproducing apparatus described in claim 13, wherein saidreproducing means controls the output of said data based on saidadditional information if said additional information is copy controlinformation.
 15. A data coding method for coding inputted data andoutputting said coded data to an external device, wherein said data mayor may not have been scrambled corresponding to a type of said data,said data coding method comprising the steps of: of a plurality ofauthenticating methods for coding the data and authenticating with saidexternal device, selecting an authenticating method corresponding to atype of scrambling of said coded data, authenticating said externaldevice by means of said selected authenticating method, and outputtingsaid coded data.
 16. A recording method for receiving inputted dataoutputted from an external device and recording the data, wherein saidinputted data may or may not have been scrambled corresponding to a typeof said inputted data, said recording method comprising the steps of:authenticating said external device by means of an authenticating methodcorresponding to a type of scrambling of said inputted data, selectedfrom a plurality of authenticating methods for authenticating saidexternal device, inputting the data outputted from said external deviceand recording said inputted data after the authentication is madecertain.
 17. A data recording method for a plurality of devices forrecording data by sending and receiving the data by authenticating saiddevices with each other, wherein said data may or may not have beenscrambled corresponding to a type of said data, and wherein saidauthentication is executed by an authenticating method corresponding toa type of scrambling of said data, selected from a plurality ofauthenticating methods.
 18. A data coding apparatus for coding inputteddata and outputting said coded data to an external device, said datacoding apparatus comprising: coding means for coding said inputted data;a plurality of authenticating means for authenticating said externaldevice; and selecting means for selecting an authenticating means fromsaid plurality of authenticating means, wherein said inputted data mayor may not have been scrambled corresponding to a type of said inputteddata, wherein said selecting means selects an authenticating meanscorresponding to a type of scrambling of said data from said pluralityof authenticating means and said selected authenticating meansauthenticates said external device and outputs said coded data.
 19. Adata recording apparatus for receiving inputted data outputted from anexternal device and recording said data, said data recording apparatuscomprising: a plurality of authenticating means for authenticating saidexternal device; selecting means for selecting an authenticating meansfrom said plurality of authenticating means; recording means forrecording said data; and wherein said inputted data may or may not havebeen scrambled corresponding to a type of said inputted data, wherein anauthenticating means corresponding to a type of scrambling of saidinputted data, selected from said plurality of authenticating means,authenticates said external device and outputs said data after theauthentication is made certain, and said recording means records thedata outputted by said authenticating means having authenticated saidexternal device.
 20. A recording apparatus comprising: a data codingapparatus and a data recording apparatus, wherein said data codingapparatus comprising: coding means for coding inputted data; a pluralityof authenticating means for authenticating an external device; andselecting means for selecting an authenticating means from saidplurality of authenticating means, wherein said inputted data may or maynot have been scrambled corresponding to a type of said inputted data,wherein said selecting means selects an authenticating meanscorresponding to a type of scrambling of said data from said pluralityof authenticating means and said selected authenticating meansauthenticates said external device and outputs said coded data, andwherein said data recording apparatus comprising: a plurality of anotherauthenticating means for authenticating said external device; selectingmeans for selecting an another authenticating means from said pluralityof another authenticating means; recording means for recording saiddata; and wherein an another authenticating means corresponding to atype of scrambling of said inputted data, selected from said pluralityof another authenticating means, authenticates said external device andoutputs said data after the authentication is made certain, and, whereinsaid recording means records the data outputted by said anotherauthenticating means having authenticated said external device, andwherein the authenticating means of said data coding apparatus and theanother authenticating means of said data recording apparatus areselected and operate to authenticate each other for transferring thedata and recording said data.
 21. The data coding apparatus as claimedin claim 18, wherein one of said plurality of authenticating means isselected based on information for indicating a type of a recordingmedium on which the data is to be recorded and in correspondence to thescrambling of the data.
 22. The data coding apparatus as claimed inclaim 18, wherein one of said plurality of authenticating means isselected based on copy control information and in correspondence to thescrambling of the data.
 23. The data coding apparatus as claimed inclaim 18, wherein one of said plurality of authenticating means isselected based on a combination of the information for indicating a typeof the recording medium on which the data is to be recorded and copycontrol information for the data to be recorded and in correspondence tothe scrambling of the data.
 24. The data coding apparatus as claimed inclaim 23, wherein each of said plurality of authenticating meansincludes scrambling means for executing a scrambling processcorresponding to a combination of the information for indicating a typeof said recording medium and the copy control information for the datato be recorded.
 25. The data coding apparatus as claimed in claim 23,wherein the information for indicating a type of said recording mediumincludes information for indicating if the medium isreproduction-dedicated or recordable, and the copy control informationfor the data to be recorded contains information for indicating if thedata is copy-free, or is copy-prohibited, or copy-permitted for only onegeneration.
 26. The data coding apparatus as claimed in claim 25,wherein said combination includes at least two information, that is,information for indicating if the medium is recordable andcopy-prohibited or copy-permitted for only one generation andinformation for indicating if the medium is recordable and is copy-free.27. The data coding apparatus as claimed in claim 18 is a data codingapparatus arranged to code and compress video data and further includingdetecting means for detecting additional information added to the datacoded by said coding means and wherein said authenticating meanscontrols the output of sad coded data along the additional informationdetected by said detecting means.
 28. A data processing apparatus havinga plurality of data processing means for sending/receiving data througha data bus, wherein said data may or may not have been scrambledcorresponding to a type of said data, and wherein said plurality of dataprocessing means each include a plurality of authenticating means andsaid data processing means are authenticated with each other by means ofan authenticating means corresponding to a type of the scrambling of thedata to be transferred.
 29. The data processing apparatus as claimed inclaim 28, wherein said authenticating means executes said authenticationbefore transferring said data and, if all the authentications are notsuccessful, stops the data output to said data bus.
 30. The dataprocessing apparatus as claimed in claim 28, wherein said authenticatingmeans executes an authentication corresponding to a type of said databefore transferring said data and, if one or more data processing meansare not successfully authenticated, stops the data output to the databus.
 31. The data processing apparatus as claimed in claim 28, whereinsaid authenticating means executes an authentication corresponding to atype of said data before transferring said data and, if one or more dataprocessing means are not successfully authenticated, limits the type ofthe data to be outputted to the data bus.
 32. The data processingapparatus as claimed in claim 28, wherein said authenticating meansexecutes an authentication corresponding to a type of said data beforetransferring said data and, if one or more data processing means are notsuccessfully authenticated, limits the type of the data to be outputtedto the data bus to the successfully authenticated device.
 33. The dataprocessing apparatus as claimed in claim 28, wherein said authenticatingmeans executes an authentication corresponding to a type of said databefore transferring said data and, if one or more data processing meansare not successfully authenticated, outputs the data only if the data tobe outputted to the data bus is copy-free information.
 34. Anauthenticating method for a plurality of devices for transferring dataamong said devices, wherein said data may or may not have been scrambledcorresponding to a type of said data, and wherein an authenticatingmethod corresponding to a type of said data is selected from a pluralityof authenticating methods to authenticate said devices with each other.35. A semiconductor chip wherein said reproducing means, saidauthenticating means and said selecting means in the data reproducingapparatus as claimed in claim 4 are provided.
 36. The data reproducingmethod according to claim 2, wherein when the received data has beenscrambled, the received data is descrambled by a descrambling methodcorresponding to said authenticating method selected from a plurality ofdescrambling methods.